‘Love you,’ Eliza said.

‘Love you even more,’ Maxie answered.

Moments later, Olivia knocked on the door. Eliza told her about the call from Maxie as they began walking down the corridor. The walls were lined with artwork. Olivia stopped in front of a small, gold-framed painting.

‘This is by an Australian artist. It was the first painting Edgar bought via my gallery.’

Eliza gazed at it. The colours were muted, yet still so layered and rich. A landscape, Australian gum trees and a dirt road, the light and shadow playing against each other.

‘Can I go and see Edgar with you one day, Olivia?’ she asked as they continued walking.

‘Thank you for asking, Eliza, but no, it’s best you don’t. It’s too confusing for him to meet anyone new. Some days I’m not even sure if he remembers me, or Alex and Rory.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

Olivia gave her hand a quick squeeze. ‘I know you are. Thank you.’

They reached the foyer. Olivia watched Eliza take it in. It was lit by standard lamps and a chandelier. Well-groomed staff were moving from one area to another. Guests filled the bar and dining area. Behind the front desk, a man in his thirties with a big smile and glossy dark hair was giving a well-dressed elderly woman his full attention. It was Alex.

‘Head up,’ Olivia whispered. ‘Shoulders back. Smile. And get it over with.’

Eliza spun around. ‘You know? Who? How?’

‘Rory, at the time. And don’t worry, I told Alex off.’

‘That makes it worse.’

‘No. Hopefully it stopped him from being so cruel to someone else.’

The elderly guest moved to the lift. Olivia put a reassuring arm around Eliza as they stepped forward.

‘Alex, not that you need an introduction, but let me reintroduce you. My goddaughter, Eliza. Eliza, you remember Alex, my stepson?’

‘Of course.’ She held out her hand, feeling as though she was channelling Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, pretending to be polished. ‘It’s good to see you again.’

‘Is it?’ Alex said. ‘I bet you’re thinking, I wish he’d moved away. I wish I didn’t have to see him again, the mean self-obsessed spoilt brat, who humiliated me so badly the last time I was here.’

Eliza was too jetlagged to pretend otherwise. ‘Yes, I am.’

Alex stepped out from behind the desk. ‘That was juvenile of me. I was trying to show off to my friends. I’m sorry. It was a very sweet letter. If you write to me again, I promise I’ll take it much more seriously.’

Eliza glanced at Olivia. She was watching with one eyebrow raised.

Alex noticed. ‘Olivia, do you doubt my sincerity?’

‘Never, Alex.’

He grinned, as charmingly confident as he’d been all those years ago. ‘Shall we start afresh, Eliza? We’re practically cousins, after all. No, let’s forget being related and start afresh as friends, yes?’

Disarmed, she took his outstretched hand as he gave a bow.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘I can start sleeping at night again. Olivia gave me such a telling off. I’ve been riddled with guilt for the last, what is it, ten years?’